Reporting from America

Published on October 20, 2007

I really appreciated his description of what news broadcasting was like in the US and would love to share it with you.

Writing in response to my article on how TV reporting impacts the youth, he says: "In the US, at least in the large urban areas, local news runs hour to hour for about three hours each afternoon. Let's just say we have a 4pm, a 5pm and a 6pm local news broadcast. After the local news there is a 30-minute world news broadcast presented by the major networks. At around 11pm there is a 30-minute recap of the local news, which may or may not include world news. Many major television stations also have news in the morning for an hour or two and a 30-minute news break at lunchtime.

"With all this opportunity to become informed, and the hours that must be filled to engage the viewer, one would think that there was a whole lot of news being reported. Here is the dynamic that you didn't mention in your piece: advertising. In America the sponsors of the news shows determine what is seen on virtually every news broadcast. In the US, if you blink you will miss crime news or news that may cause the viewer some discomfort. These crime stories are used as 'hooks' in promos for the upcoming news broadcasts, but crime stories last a total of five to seven minutes before the 'feel-good' stories begin to roll.

"This is absolutely the opposite of your take on Thai news. In America, if you don't really think about it you can forget crime exists. The news is about recovering from cancer, pets that can water-ski, weather and sports. Breaking news is handled very similar to the way it is reported here. It is repeated over and over but with a little more video censoring so the viewer will not become too uncomfortable and not buy the products advertised during the broadcast.

"That said, your dyed-pubic-hair story surprised me. Believe me when I say that it would never be reported back in the US. As you say, it probably shouldn't be reported anywhere. I think that many teenagers who see and hear about it would try doing the same thing."

Barkdull's message really struck home with me. I just hope someone in authority is reading this. If we really care about our kids - who are our future - it is time to ask if we need to do something with our news reporting.

How about rating it?

Comments can be sent to e_nang30@yahoo.com.

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